I’m concerned about the ever increasing trend toward public displays of religion. We now see it in professional sports, court houses and other public places. Our constitution provides that individuals have the right to exercise their beliefs, but it also protects citizens from having the government impose religion upon them.

Suppose the majority of citizens in the U.S. were Muslim. Suppose portions of the Koran were posted in courtrooms. Suppose pro sports teams lead Islamic prayer on the field as Christians have done. It would not be well received. Yet, the defense would be the same, “they’re just exercising their rights.”

We are a diverse nation of people with many faiths, including those with no faith. To allow any one religion to promote itself in public shows a lack of respect for all faiths and points of view.

It really comes down to a simple principle of respect and tolerance.

Mark Moshay,
Bremerton.